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AUGUST 22, 2025

Lovejoy Lovejoy Leopards Leopards

LovejoyCommunity,

Another amazing week is in the books in Lovejoy ISD, marked by meaningful learning, exciting achievements, and celebrations of the many ways ourstudentsareshining.

NationalMathStars

Lovejoy ISD’s legacy of academic excellence continues! We are the proud home of two of only 102elementarystudentsacrossthenationselected to be part of the prestigious National Math Stars (NMS) program. We are Lovejoy Proud of Hart Elementary students Kanna Makino and Yesukhei AAltansukh ltansukh. The NMS program identifies mathematically extraordinary elementary students and provides each student with more than $100,000 in academic mentorship, enrichment opportunities, and other resources until high school graduation. I had the opportunity to visit with Kanna and Yesukhei this week and learnmoreaboutthemathematicsexamstheytookandtheirexcitementaboutthe opportunitiestheywillhaveinfrontofthem.

PTONewFamilyWelcomeCoffee

This morning, I had the pleasure of joining the PTO at the New Family Welcome Coffee.Itwasawonderfulevent,stronglyattended,andfilledwithexcitementabout gettinginvolvedasnewLeopards.ThankyoutoourPTOforhostingandcreatingsuch meaningfulconnections.Ifyouhaven’talready,youcanstillsignuptojointhePTO here.

Parent and Community Engagement: Leadership Lovejoy & Board Academy Applications

Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Leadership Lovejoy Cohort! This programprovidesparentsandcommunitymembersabehind-the-sceneslookatour districtthroughinteractiveworkshopswithcampusanddistrictleaders.Iencourage you to apply and deepen your understanding of Lovejoy ISD. More details can be foundonpage8ofthisnewsletter.

Additionally,registrationisnowopenforthe Lovejoy ISD Board Academy.Whether you’re considering future service on our Board of Trustees or simply want to learn moreaboutschoolgovernance,thisprogramisawonderfulopportunitytoengage. Seepage8formoreinformation.

CommunityEventReminder

We look forward to seeing many of you at the City of Lucas Back-to-School Celebration tomorrow,August23rd,attheLucasFarmer’sMarket.OurLovejoyBand andstudentperformerswillbringmusic,energy,andfun!Imayevenbemakingan appearanceinthedunktank.Eventdetailsarelinkedhere.

ThereisonlyONELOVEJOYandweareALLLEOPARDS!

LovejoyProud, Kati Sup

With the new school year underway, we remain committed to intentionally fosteringacultureofcollaborationandopencommunication.Weencourage Lovejoy parents to reach out to the appropriate district staff with questions and feedback. Please find contact information below for some important districtcontacts:

CentralAdministration

Superintendent’sOffice RodrickaTaylor

CoordinatorfortheSuperintendent &BoardServices rodricka taylor@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8003

Athletics ToddDodge

AthleticDirector&HeadCoach todd dodge@lovejoyisd.net

HannahO’Connor

AdministrativeAssistanttothe

AthleticDirector

hannah oconnor@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8068

CommunicationsandMarketing

KimSteiner

CoordinatorofCommunications kimberly steiner@lovejoyisd.net

469-742-8518

Curriculum&Instruction

AllisonClaunch DirectorofSpecialEducation allison claunch@lovejoyisd.net

469-742-8047

StephaniKranz DirectorofStudentSupport (Nursing,Counseling,504) stephani kranz@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8033

MaryMullen DirectorofSecondaryEducation &Assessment/Accountability mary mullen@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8026

ErinPerkins DirectorofElementaryEducation &EarlyChildhood erin perkins@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8015

EarlyChildhoodPrograms

JamieFlemmer

LCDCCoordinator

jamie flemmer@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8133

ExtenedDayProgram

AlphaBest

214.707.9247

https://www.alphabest.org/lovejoytx/

Enrollment

CampusPEIMSClerks

FacilityLeasing/Rental

RigoValdivia

Custodial,Maintenance&Grounds

Supervisor

rigo valdivia@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.2192

https://www.practiceplan.io/landing

Finance

AmberPennell

DirectorofBusinessServices

amber pennell@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8032

FineArts

TravisZambiasi

ExecutiveDirectorofStudentServices

Travis zambiasi@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.2185

HumanResources

HeatherCox

DirectorofHumanResources

heather cox@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8062

Operations

MariaArnold

AssistanttoOperations&Student Services

maria arnold@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8002

Safety&Security

CaseyLittlefield

DirectorofSafety&Security casey littlefield@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8097

StudentNutrition

MatMcCarty

DirectorofStudentNutrition mat mccarty@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8014

Technology

JohnKorb

DirectorofTechnology

john korb@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8070

Transportation

MichelleLeasure

DirectorofTransportation

michelle leasure@lovejoyisd.net

469.742.8006

Leadership Lovejoy

LeadershipLovejoyisaprogramdesignedtogiveparentsandcommunity members a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the school district through workshops by department and district leaders. By educating participantsabouttheoperationsandprioritiesofLovejoyISD,webuilda knowledgeableandengagedcommunitynetworkthatcansupportdistrict planning, serve on district and campus improvement teams, and contributetootherschoolandcommunityinitiatives.Theprogram’sgoalis to inform, engage, and inspire, offering both valuable information and opportunities for participants to ask questions in an interactive setting. LeadershipLovejoysessionsareheldinpersonandstructuredashalf-day workshops. There is a cost of $90.00 to cover the cost of the program. ApplicationsarenowopenthroughWednesday,October1stat9:00a.m.

Board Academy

The Lovejoy ISD Board Academy is open to anyone interested in public serviceontheBoardofTrusteesorthosewhosimplywanttolearnmore aboutlocalschooldistrictgovernance.CurrentBoardMemberswillshare insightsintotherolesandresponsibilitiesofservingontheBoard,outline state-mandatedtrainingrequirements,andclarifythedistinctionbetween Boardoversightandtheday-to-dayoperationsofthedistrict.Thesession will also include valuable information about the process of running for a seat on the Board of Trustees, including guidance on timelines, logistics, andfilingprocedures.

98900 - IMPORTANT District and Campuscommunications,including safety and security, school closures, and more! Parents are strongly encouraged to NOT opt out of these textmessages

27806 - Lovejoy ISD mobile app notifications, including classroom announcements and teacher messages. Parents may opt out of thesetextmessagesifdesired.

ParentLog-ininstructions: DownloadandopentheLovejoyISDMobileApp Clickthered,“Continuetosign-in”button IntheThrillsharebrowser,enteryourphonenumberORemailaddresslistedin yourstudent’sPowerSchoolaccount. �� Tip:Phonenumberistheeasiest! Entertheauthenticationcodesenttoyourphoneoremailaddress Startexploring!

Sign-intoviewclass announcements& teachermessages!

Enteryourphone numberonfilein PowerSchool Confirmthe authenticationcode senttoyourphone

To encourage enrollment in the district’s device insurance program, Delcom, a local technology solutions provider, is giving away a Gen 6 Lenovo Thinkpad T14 laptopdirectlytooneluckyLovejoyISDfamily!

Signupatiturity.com/lovejoyfordeviceinsurance Parentsofstudentsingrades5–12areeligible WinnerwillberandomlyselectedSeptember1

Device insurance protects your child’s laptop from accidental damage and helps the district keep technology running smoothly. Thank you to Delcom for supportingLovejoyISD andtoourparentsforinvestinginstudentsuccess!

2025-2026

Strong school attendance is correlated with higher academic performance. Additionally,averageDailyAttendance(ADA)isametricthattheStateofTexas usestodeterminefundingforpublicschools.Eachweek,thisattendancedata willbeupdatedsoourcommunityisawareofourmostrecentADA.

Report an Absence

The District has implemented a new process to streamline absence reporting. To notify your campus attendance office about your student’s absence, complete yourcampuses"ReportanAbsence"form whichcanbefound:

CampusWebsite(toprightcorner)

Doyouworkinthehealthindustry?Areyouaparentorcommunitymemberwhois interested in supporting the health and wellness of students in Lovejoy? Lovejoy ISD is seeking individuals who would like to serve on our School Health Advisory Council,otherwiseknownasSHAC.

WhatisSHAC?

A SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) is a school board-appointed advisory groupofindividualswhorepresentdifferentsegmentsofthecommunity.Bylaw,a majorityofthemembersmustbepersonswhoareparentsofstudentsenrolledin thedistrictandwhoarenotemployedbythedistrict.TheLISDSHACismadeupof parents, community members, students, and school staff working together to improvethehealthofallstudentsandfamiliesthroughcoordinatedschoolhealth programs

Whatisthetimecommitment?

Our committee meets 4 to 6 times a year from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. We ask that membersbewillingtoservefortwoyears,ifpossible,tosupportcontinuity.

HowdoIletsomeoneknowIaminterested?

Pleasesendaletterofinteresttoshac@lovejoyisd.netdetailingyourconnectionto Lovejoy ISD, including any information about your connections to health and wellness and the schools your students attend (if applicable). This information allowsustodevelopacommitteethatisrepresentativeofourdistrict.

LovejoyISDisproudtoannouncethattwoofthenation’s102NationalMathStarsfor 2025arerighthereinourdistrict!

KannaMakinoandYesukheiAltansukh,bothstudentsatHartElementary,havebeen selected for this prestigious honor, joining an elite group of just 102 extraordinary youngmathematiciansnationwide.

The 2025 National Math Stars cohort spans Texas and, for the first time, six Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Each Star will receive over $100,000 in educational support for over 10 years, including math mentoring, enrichment opportunities, and resources to help them reach their full potentialinmathematicsandbeyond.

With14LovejoyISDstudentsapplyingtothishighlycompetitiveprogram,havingtwo studentsselectedisanoutstandingachievementandatestamenttotheexceptional talent,hardwork,andcuriosityofourstudents andtheunwaveringsupportofour teachersandfamilies.

This recognition places Lovejoy ISD among a select group of districts nationwide helpingtoshapethefutureofmathandscience Wecouldn’tbeprouderofKannaand Y a

Our Puster Kindergartners are having so much fun learning through hands-on experiences!Lastweek,theypracticedspellingtheirnamesandwritinglettersin shavingcreamanactivitythatbuildsfinemotorskillsandletterrecognitionwhile makinglearningexciting(andalittlemessy!).

In addition to this, students have been busy building imaginative creations with blocks, designing colorful patterns with shapes, sculpting with Play-Doh, and enjoying time with friends on the playground. We love seeing their curiosity, creativity,andloveoflearningshineeachday!

Ms. Guinn’s Technical Theatre students are diving into the basics of stagecraft! Recently,theycreated“stainedglasswindows”toexplorehowlightinggelschange thecoloroflight.Thishands-onprojectgavestudentsachancetoseehowdesign choicesimpacttheatmosphereandstorytellingonstage.

The Lovejoy High School Band is working hard on their 2025 production, “Creatures of the Night.” With countless hours of rehearsal and dedication, the studentsarebringingenergy,creativity,andprecisiontoashowthatpromisesto bebothpowerfulandunforgettable.

ThegirlsCrossCountryteamswepttheirfirstmeetoftheseasonwinningallthree divisions with commanding leads over 20 teams. We had two strong freshmen performancesbyEmilyArmstrongwhowontheElitedivisionandLilyStabilewho won the JV division. The Varsity team is ranked #2 in the state going into the season!!

The Majestics Dance Team kicked off the 2025-2026 season in June with their annual summer team and office camps. The team spent three days working with Encore Creative Productions staff to learn new choreography for the upcoming season.Theyalsofocusedontechnique,teambonding,andpreparingfortheyear ahead.

TheDanceandSocialOfficersthenheadedtoEncoreCreativeProductions'officer campheldattheEmbassySuitesinFrisco.Thegirlsreceiveddanceinstructionand evaluation, leadership workshops, team-building workshops, motivation, technique, and more! The Social Officers earned a superior rating on their camp project evaluation, while our Dance Officers received superior ratings on both dance evaluations, along with special recognition for their technique and overall excellenceintechnique,polish,performance,andstyle.

TheMajesticsDanceTeamwrappeduptheirsummerwithSummerDrillCampand participated in many back-to-school events, including the Foundation Welcome Breakfast, Convocation, Founder's Day, Meet the Teacher, and the Senior Walk. They are excited to be back in school and look forward to performing for the LovejoycommunitythisfallatpepralliesandundertheFridayNightLights.

InSr.Madrid’sSpanish3class,studentsbroughtlanguagelearningtolifethrough an engaging twist on musical chairs that exemplified active learning and student discourse. As part of the game, the student in the middle shared a personal statement in Spanish such as "Me encanta el chocolate" (I love chocolate) and classmateswhoagreedscrambledforanewseat.Thelaststudentstandingtook the center and continued the cycle, creating a lively, immersive environment wherestudentspracticedspeaking,listening,andcomprehensioninrealtime.

Everyyearbeforethestartoftheseason,ourvarsityfootballplayerstakepartina standingLovejoytradition:HelmetStriping.Atthisevent,eachplayerisgiventheir new helmets for the upcoming season, and families are invited to share in the moment by helping place the Lovejoy decals and stripes. It’s a special time that blendsexcitementfortheseasonaheadwiththesupportandprideofparentsand lovedones.Thistraditionismorethanpreparingforgameday,it’sareminderof thestrongcommunitythatstandsbehindourLeopardseachfall.

DearLovejoyCommunity,

As a Board, we are committed to strong and proactive communication with our community. Part of this commitment is sending an email invitation to our community prior to Board Meetings with a sincere desire for you to be involved andfullyaware,sowecancometogetherasacommunityforourchildren.

August25,2025PublicNoticeWebsite (Public notice will be posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance)

You may find the full agenda with supporting documentation on our district's BoardBookPremierwebsiteHERE.

Sincerely,

Julie McLaughlin, President

Jeff Wood, Vice President

Marvin Bobo, Secretary

Aubrey Stock, Trustee

Mark Wheelis, Trustee

Jason Jaynes, Trustee

Barrett Owens, Trustee

LovejoyISDhasanunparalleledsenseofcommunityandconnectioncenteredon student opportunity. In support of this collective commitment, the Leopard Life websiteshowcasesawiderangeofevents,activities,andfundraisersorganizedby boosterclubs,PTOs,athletics,finearts,individualcampuses,andmore! Leopard Lifeisprominentlyfeaturedacrosscampusanddistrictwebsites,highlightedinall newsletters,andeasilyaccessiblethroughtheLovejoyISDmobileapp.

Thisweek'sfeaturedflyersare:

Please note: the information featured in the "Community News" section is submitted by local community members. Lovejoy ISD is not affiliated with the organizationsanddoesnotclaimtoendorsethem.

Lovejoy FamiLLy! Order your "Stay True" bands to support the Leopards for the 2025 football season. The same product the players are wearingonthefield!Aportion oftheproceedswillgodirectly back to the football program. Get one for the whole family! ClickHere!

Lovejoy ISD is committed to creating strong connections and providing clear communicationwithourLovejoyparentsandfamilies.Belowyouwillfindlinksto the most recent newsletters from each campus. Sign up for weekly Principal Newslettersheretostayinformed!